TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After enduring chaotic elections back-to-back, the state Canvassing Board quietly put its latest vote totals in the history books Sunday.

"When it's done right, it's pretty boring," said Secretary of State Jim Smith, recruited in August by Gov. Jeb Bush to oversee the 2002 elections.

Smith, Comptroller Bob Milligan and Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher signed the paperwork on the Nov. 5 general election results, making them official.

Sunday's formal conclusion to the GOP sweep across Florida came in stark contrast to the state's last two elections. Gone were the media hordes that swarmed the Capitol after the bungled 2000 presidential election and ensuing recount.

"We're not going to be on Jay Leno anymore," Smith said. "That's probably the best news."

The world has since looked upon each of Florida's election cycles with some amusement, waiting to see just exactly what might go wrong next.

And then, despite $32 million being spent on voter education and new equipment, Florida still flubbed the primary election Sept. 10.

Voters from Miami to Jacksonville were turned away when polling places opened as much as five hours late, machines didn't function throughout the day and precinct workers closed their stations at 7 p.m. despite Bush's order to keep them open two extra hours.

With Bush seeking re-election and Democrats skeptical about the veracity of the vote, the spotlight was back on Florida Nov. 5 to if the state could get it right. They apparently did, and observers from the Justice Department, Congress, several independent groups and even foreign countries were on hand to make sure.

Smith said Bush would be announcing a study group Monday to fine-tune the elections process that would include expanded early voting and more training for poll workers. The group will also make a recommendation on the runoff election, which was suspended in the 2002 cycle.